Europe's Nato allies push back at reported US threat to Spain

Souring relations between Europe and the US have reared their Medusa-like head again, writes the BBC's Europe editor.

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There is the ongoing energy crisis provoked by the US-Israel war on Iran, Russia's aggression in neighbouring Ukraine, now in its fifth year. And this Friday morning, souring relations between Europe and the United States, along with a potentially devastating defence impact, reared its Medusa-like head. Again.

"No worries," Spain's determined-to-appear-calm Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said to waiting journalists as he arrived at the leaders' summit. "We are fulfilling our obligations toward Nato."

What did he feel compelled to say he wasn't fretting about?

An email, originating from the US Pentagon and first reported by Reuters on Friday had leaked, suggesting measures for the US to punish allies it believed had failed to support the US-Israel campaign against Iran. The email said the US could seek to suspend Spain from Nato over its stance.